-3- To this end, initiatives have been developed by the Greek senior police command and measures taken with the object of raising the social awareness of police officers in matters relating to respect and protection of human rights during police action and which prove the stable and permanent interest of the Greek Police. These initiatives revolve round the following axes: 2. Police Tactics and Practice A circular was issued by the Chief of Greek Police entitled “Combating of racism, xenophobia, bigotry and non-tolerance in the course of police action” (May 2006), wherein it is underlined that respect for the diversity of perceptions, ways of life and cultural features of all people indiscriminately constitutes the basic obligation of law enforcement officials. In the same circular it is noted and stressed the obligation of police authorities to investigate the possibility leading to the existence of a racist motive, both as regards criminal as well as administrative cases. A circular was issued by the Chief of Greek Police entitled “Apprehension of persons as a preventive and suppressive action in the exercise of police authority” (June 2005), which aims at providing interpretative instructions to the services, taking into account the legal regime in force and demonstrating sensitivity in matters pertaining to the individual rights of the citizens in accordance with the proposals put forward by the Ombudsman. In consequence of the issuance of the afore-mentioned circular, the Ombudsman congratulated the senior command of the Greek Police, underlining that the circular in question is marked by soundness of legal argumentation, as it makes a co-evaluation of the state-of-the art of international parameters. The Ombudsman also expresses his satisfaction for the fact that it becomes explicit in the circular that co-operation with him constitutes an obligation of the Police Services. A manual was issued and distributed to all Police Authorities entitled “Apprehension, treatment and rights of persons detained by Police Authorities” (June 2005). In this manual are included the circulars by the Chief of Greek Police relating to the protection of the rights of citizens in the course of police action referred to hereunder: ● Circular No 4803/22/44, dated 4 July 2003, bearing the title “Treatment and rights of persons detained by police authorities”, whereby the problems concerning the practical implementation of the rights of the detainees are solved. ● Circulars Nos 9001/5/24-c’, dated 23 April 2003 and 9001/22/44i, dated 1 October 2003, entitled “Publication of the identity data of apprehended persons”, whereby there was regulated the matter of the protection of personal data, the private and family life of persons arrested by Police Authorities, through the placing of a ban on the publication of data concerning their identity, in conformity with relevant decision reached by the Protection of Personal Data authority. ● Circular No 7100/22/49, dated 17 June 2005, titled “Apprehension of persons as a preventive and suppressive action in the exercise of police powers”.